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Catching up with beneficiaries of crack retroactivity

By Douglas A. Berman

The Boston Globe has this notable new piece headlined "Inequity's end means new start for 31: Crack offenders from Mass. see US sentences trimmed." Here are snippets:In December, the Sentencing Commission reduced the sentencing range for certain crack offenses by two levels. For example, it lowered the maximum recommended sentence for selling 5 grams of cocaine from 78 months to 63 months. Judges in Massachusetts have responded swiftly.  By July 8, judges had trimmed the sentences of 79 of 109 inmates, including those who were freed, according to Chief US District Judge Mark L. Wolf.  Some freed prisoners have been detained elsewhere for other legal proceedings, including deportation if they are not US citizens. The commission had estimated that 25 prisoners from Massachusetts would be eligible for release by November and that a total of 91 prisoners could be freed through 2012...continue to full post

Full post as published by Sentencing Law and Policy on July 18, 2008 (boomark / email).